Tue 16 Sep 2008, 11:05 GMT

Contaminated fuel off California coast


Local firm claims incident is the result of a refinery delivery mix-up.



Two Harbors, located at the Isthmus of Catalina Island, says it has learned that unleaded fuel with excessive levels (approximately 40 percent) of ethanol was sold to its customers during the period from August 30 - 8:00am to September 3rd 10am.

The excessive level of ethanol is claimed to have been the result of the local refinery delivering a load of what was supposed to be unleaded fuel but was in fact 100% ethanol. When this was then mixed with the existing unleaded fuel in the Two Harbors storage tanks it is said to have created a fuel mixture with approximately 40 percent ethanol.

Ann Luchau, Two Harbors Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, is advising anyone who purchased fuel at Two Harbors during these dates to contact Two Harbors Enterprises to assist in having the fuel in their tanks switched out.

Luchau added, “Upon learning of this mistaken delivery, Two Harbors immediately ceased sales and had flushed its tanks to make sure our supply is no longer contaminated. The fuel mixture does not pose a health or safety risk to people, but could effect the performance of boats."

Two Harbors says it regrets this incident and plans to work closely with its customers to remedy the situation.

Those concerned are urged to call Two Harbors representatives Laura Mc Elroy on +1 310 510 4219 or Ann Luchau on +1 310 510 4204.


Core Power, Athlos Energy, Deon Policy Institute and ABS logos. Greece floating nuclear study finds no fundamental barriers to implementation  

A PESTLE assessment of floating nuclear power plants in Greece identifies framework gaps, not feasibility barriers.

Northern Pathliner alongside Bergen LNG vessel. Molgas completes LNG cool-down and bunkering for Northern Pathliner at Northern Lights terminal in Norway  

Operation carried out at Øygarden facility, with K Line and Integr8 Fuels in the supply chain.

Rendering of a G2 Ocean OHGC vessel. G2 Ocean expands fleet with six future-fuel ready gantry crane vessels  

Open hatch specialist adds vessels and jet sail technology as part of a broad fleet renewal programme.

CMA CGM Adventure vessel at Port of Mombasa. LNG-powered CMA CGM Adventure makes first call at the Port of Mombasa  

Kenya Ports Authority receives its first large LNG-fuelled container vessel.

Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Maritime trio shapes IMO safety guidelines for ammonia as marine fuel  

Real-world operational experience feeds directly into new IMO ammonia fuel safety framework.

Repsol industrial complex in Puertollano. Repsol starts large-scale renewable fuel production at second Iberian plant  

Spanish energy company's Puertollano facility adds 200,000 tonnes per year of renewable diesel capacity.

SD Aisemaht vessel. World's first dual-fuel methanol escort tug receives full class certification  

ABS grants certification to SD Aisemaht, built by Sanmar Shipyards for Canada's Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

CMB.Tech and TFG Marine signing. CMB.Tech raises TFG Marine stake to 15% and consolidates bunker procurement through joint venture  

CMB.Tech increases its equity stake in TFG Marine and commits its entire fleet’s bunker requirements to the joint venture.

XFuel demo plant in Mallorca, Spain. XFuel secures EUR 4.1m Catalonia grant for waste-derived marine fuel plant  

Spanish start-up wins funding to build a modular facility converting waste oils into low-carbon marine gas oil.

Liquefied biogas facility at Port of Gothenburg render. Construction begins on liquefied biogas facility at Port of Gothenburg  

Nordion Energi's new plant aims to open up Swedish biogas supply to shipping and other sectors beyond the gas grid.